Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
रुद्रस्य रणप्रवेशः तथा दैत्यगणानां बाणवृष्टिः
Rudra Enters the Battlefield; the Daityas’ Arrow-Storm
जलंधर उवाच । किं व उच्चरितैर्मातुर्धावद्भिः पृष्ठतो हतैः । न हि भीतवधः श्लाघ्यः स्वर्गदः शूरमानिनाम्
jalaṃdhara uvāca | kiṃ va uccaritairmāturdhāvadbhiḥ pṛṣṭhato hataiḥ | na hi bhītavadhaḥ ślāghyaḥ svargadaḥ śūramāninām
జలంధరుడు అన్నాడు—“మాతను ఉద్దేశించి ఇలాంటి గొప్ప గొప్ప మాటలు ఎందుకు, భయంతో పారిపోతున్నవారిని వెనుకనుండి చంపుతున్నప్పుడు? భీతుల వధ శ్లాఘనీయం కాదు; అది శూరమని భావించేవారికి స్వర్గం ఇవ్వదు।”
Jalandhara
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse contrasts outer bravado with inner dharma: true heroism is governed by righteousness and restraint, while harming the fearful for victory generates no noble merit—an ethical lens that, in Shaiva thought, supports purification of conduct (ācāra-śuddhi) as a foundation for devotion to Shiva.
Though spoken in a battle context, it indirectly supports Saguna Shiva worship by emphasizing dharmic discipline: worship of Shiva’s Linga is not merely ritual but must be aligned with right action, humility, and avoidance of adharmic violence, which strengthens the devotee’s fitness (adhikāra) for Shiva’s grace.
The practical takeaway is self-examination before worship: perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of non-cruelty and truthfulness, and apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder to restrain ego and avoid unrighteous acts even under provocation.